The U.S. administration has declined to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into publicly supporting the Gaza Peace Council’s 15-point peace plan as he prepares for upcoming elections.
White House officials stated they understand the complexities of Israel’s electoral process and will allow Netanyahu to manage his campaign without interference. According to U.S. officials, Netanyahu must accommodate his right-wing allies’ positions to secure re-election. As a result, Washington is prepared to tolerate public rejection of the Gaza Peace Council’s plan by Israel, provided the country moves forward with implementation steps.
The administration also expects Israel to cease targeted killings and advance negotiations toward the next phase. Additionally, U.S. officials note signs that Israel may be preparing for potential withdrawal from Gaza.
Gaza’s humanitarian situation has deteriorated as Israeli military forces remain in the enclave, with independent reports indicating actual casualties significantly exceed official figures. On August 9, Netanyahu announced that Israel would not withdraw troops from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and stated that Israel was discussing concerns with U.S. officials regarding the peace plan.
